New Uribana = old Uribana (Third Update)

The relatives of Uribana Prison inmates protest against the new warden Julio César Pérez.

The last few days have been really tense both inside and outside of Uribana Prison, near the city of Barquisimeto, where I live. This was where the second-worst prison riot in Venezuelan history took place, back in early 2013.

Prisons Minister Iris Varela publicly backed the new warden, saying these actions are to “…stop the privileges of a group of inmates”. Some of the inmates’ relatives denied Varela’s claims, and the protest continues.

But the more things change, the more stay the same: Basic conditions have not improved and every once in a while violence continues to sprout. How bad is the situation? Well, consider that Julio César Pérez is the third Uribana warden in three months.

UPDATE # 1: The situation took a turn for the worse. At first, three inmates were declared dead at the Barquisimeto Central Hospital for an alleged overdose. Then, the number increased to thirteen. Apparently, some inmates took a combination of a drug named Rivotril and alcohol in order to call the authorities’ attention. The Prison Ministry confirmed this in a statement, in which they informed that at least 145 inmates were treated for intoxication.

UPDATE # 2: NGO Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) told AFP that the number of dead has risen to 19 and has serious doubts over the official version of the events. Radio Fe y Alegria is reporting at least 24 dead so far. Another 35 inmates are in critical condition and 12 are in coma. Also, they report that four of the 400 inmates transferred last weekend to Tocoron Prison died last night.

The only thing that stays the same is that Iris Varela retains her job. A record that puts Venezuela at the top of human rights abusers in the hemisphere, and she somehow stands apart from the Ministerial merry-go-round. A thing so amazing, it cannot be accidental.

But surely it is time for Jaua to take over. He knows where the guns are hidden.